Press Releases

Standards to make products and services accessible for European consumers

ANEC welcomes the European Commission’s proposal today to facilitate the accessibility of products and services through standards. For many years, we have been pressing for regulatory action to increase access to everyday products and services for consumers of all ages and abilities.

Study on consumers and cross-border e-commerce

Only 10% of EU consumers regularly shop from internet retailers in other EU countries, compared with 63% from websites in their home countries, according to a new ANEC survey of more than 4.000 consumers in 22 EU countries. The study reveals that, despite European Commission policies to encourage e-commerce cross-border, consumers still face notable barriers to reaping the benefits of a digital single market.

As of tomorrow, 26 September, the energy efficiency of water and space heaters (such as boilers) will be improved due to the entry into force of EU-wide energy efficiency requirements for these products. Buying energy-thrifty boilers will be made easier for consumers because of supporting EU energy label rules.

After laudable progress in 2014, and despite strong support from Member States, the Juncker Commission appears to be stalling on the regulation of tattoo inks. ANEC must express its greatest disappointment at this change in political will.

Standards in the Digital Single Market

Digital Technologies have a considerable impact on the lives of consumers, ranging from on-line shopping to e-government & e-voting. Although ANEC welcomes the focus on interoperability in the EC’s initiative on the Digital Single Market (DSM) adopted today, we regret its integrated standards plan will not seek increased consumer protection across borders.

New safety standard for domestic trampolines

ANEC welcomes publication of the European safety standard EN 71-14 for trampolines used in private gardens. We urge parents and other family members to buy only trampolines that comply with this standard.

ANEC addressed the consumer view on functionalities and interoperability of smart metering systems at the Citizens' Energy Forum on 12-13 March 2015 in London. Every year, the London Forum brings together a wide range of stakeholders to exchange on consumer perspectives. This year, ANEC stressed its key concerns and advised what needs to happen to help engage consumers in the European energy market.

ANEC leaflet

What we do for you

Few people are interested in technical standardisation and even fewer have heard of ANEC. Yet, although standardisation may not seem at all sexy at first glance, it is an essential component of modern life and the role of ANEC is key.

ANEC 2019

Work Programme 2019

The Work Programme sets out the activities ANEC plans to undertake in 2019. It lists areas of activity under our seven priority areas, as well as under the horizontal area of Policy. ANEC priorities are also reflected in the UAWP for Standardisation 2019.

ANEC is the European consumer voice in standardisation, defending the collective consumer interests in the processes of technical standardisation, conformity assessment, accreditation and market surveillance as well as related legislation and public policies.

ANECwas established in 1995 as an international non-profit association under Belgian law and is open to the representation of national consumer organisations in 34 countries.

ANECis funded by the European Union and EFTA, with national consumer organisations contributing in kind. Its Secretariat is based in Brussels.